TRENDING: Toyin posts TikTok partnership after Funke’s Facebook deal, sparks rivalry debate

Nollywood actress Toyin Abraham has caused buzz on social media after sharing a throwback to her TikTok collaboration on “Oversabi Aunty”, days after her colleague, Funke Akindele, unveiled her partnership with Facebook for her upcoming film, “The Four: No One Fights Alone.”

Akindele announced the partnership on her Instagram page on Thursday, describing it as an opportunity to take the film to a wider audience.

She described the partnership as a significant achievement in her professional journey, thanking her fans for their unwavering encouragement and support over the years.

She added that Facebook would give audiences an inside look at the film, from production activities and promotional campaigns to premiere moments and previously unseen behind-the-scenes footage.

“We’re taking The Four to the world, and Facebook is coming with us. I’m so excited to announce my partnership with Facebook for The Four: No One Fights Alone! The love you’ve shown me and my stories over the years has brought us this far. Now, let’s make this next chapter one to remember.”

Akindele’s announcement drew congratulatory messages from fans and other social media users. However, some used the opportunity to take jabs at actress Abraham, comparing the two filmmakers.

Some social media users argued that Abraham had earlier pioneered collaborations with social media platforms to promote films. In contrast, others suggested that she and other filmmakers would now follow Akindele’s example by partnering with Facebook.

“I’ve done the same”

In response to the criticism, Abraham shared a throwback post highlighting her earlier partnership with TikTok, pointing out that she had done something similar before Akindele’s Facebook collaboration.

On Instagram, she shared a throwback post describing her work with TikTok on Oversabi Aunty as a memorable experience.

The film debuted in cinemas on 19 December 2025 before arriving on Netflix and Kava on 2 October. Abraham produced and directed the comedy-drama, which marked her first outing as a film director.

The cast includes Mike Ezuruonye, Jemima Osunde, Enioluwa Adeoluwa, Toyin Afolayan, Efe Irele and Tana Adelana, alongside Abraham.

The film centres on Toun, a church usher whose commitment to church activities takes a back seat to her habit of criticising and correcting those around her.

Abraham also expressed excitement about exploring more exciting partnerships for her forthcoming film, Bestie.

“Throwback to when TikTok collaborated with Oversabi Aunty! It was such a beautiful experience, and I’m looking forward to more amazing collaborations as we gear up for Bestie. More magic, more creativity and bigger moments ahead! Anyway, fam, are you ready?” She wrote.

PREMIUM TIMES findings

PREMIUM TIMES fact-checked the claims by Abraham and Akindele about their respective collaborations with major social media platforms and found differences between the two announcements.

The photograph Abraham shared on Instagram did not originate from a collaboration programme. Instead, it showed her attending TikTok’s #WhatToWatch Cinema Experience, which took place on 17 December 2025.

TikTok organised the event to bring filmmakers, actors and film content creators together to examine the relationship between social media and cinema, particularly how digital platforms can increase film exposure and audience engagement.

Abraham spoke at the gathering about her experience using TikTok to promote films. She also highlighted her work as a creator and praised the platform’s algorithm for organically connecting content with relevant audiences.

A review of the picture shows that TikTok Africa and TikTok Nigeria mentioned the actress in a post identifying her as an attendee at the event, which gives viewers the impression that she was a collaborator.

Abraham also referred to the gathering as the #WhatToWatch Cinema Experience in the caption of her video. She did not identify it as a collaboration initiative.

She wrote: “Thank you a lot, TikTok. Africa. #Oversabiaunty is #whattowatch in all cinemas from today.”

A different situation emerged from Akindele’s announcement. This newspaper found that Meta, Facebook’s parent company, publicly confirmed its partnership with the filmmaker to promote “The Four.”

According to the company, the partnership covers the film’s world premiere in London and its homecoming premiere in Lagos. It also plans to create experiences that connect content creators, celebrities and audiences.

Meta confirmed the arrangement in a post after Akindele tagged Facebook in her announcement.

“This story is too big for one place. Facebook is partnering with Funke Akindele for the London and Lagos premieres of her movie ‘The Four’, and we’re bringing every moment to her community around the world.

“Follow our page and Officialfunke Akindele right here on Facebook for all the behind-the-scenes details and catch-ups. Stay tuned! Stories. Connect. Community.”

PREMIUM TIMES, however, could not independently establish the first filmmaker to partner with Facebook on the global promotion of a feature film as of press time.

“Rivalry that spanned over a decade”

The latest incident once again drew attention to the long-running speculation surrounding the relationship between two of Nollywood’s biggest actresses.

The perceived rivalry dates back to the early 2010s, when both actresses began attracting significant attention in the Yoruba film industry. While Akindele had already established herself as a prominent figure, Abraham was steadily building her reputation and strengthening her position in the industry.

Fan comparisons and persistent industry rumours reportedly fuelled speculation about competition between the actresses.

The tension reportedly intensified in 2021 when their films, Akindele’s “Omo Ghetto: The Saga” and Abraham’s “The Ghost and the Tout Too”, competed at the box office.

The actresses faced another major box-office showdown in 2024 and 2025 when Akindele released “Everybody Loves Jenifa”, while Abraham promoted “Alakada: Bad and Boujee.”

The competition sparked allegations of bias in cinema screening arrangements, along with claims of behind-the-scenes rivalry and attempts to undermine each other. However, the allegations remained unsubstantiated.

Despite the speculation, both actresses appeared to make efforts to mend their relationship between 2024 and 2025. They addressed the issues on their respective social media accounts and later shared warm moments at a movie premiere. Their public interactions raised hopes among fans that they had finally put the reported disagreement behind them.

However, their latest encounter at the premiere of “The Return of Arinzo”, a film directed by Iyabo Ojo, revived questions about their relationship.

A viral video from the event showed Abraham, dressed in a purple gown, moving around the venue and exchanging pleasantries with colleagues before approaching a table where Akindele sat with other industry figures, including Mercy Aigbe, Shaffy Bello and Ojo.

Abraham appeared to approach Akindele warmly, touching her arm and leaning towards her as she attempted to exchange greetings. The interaction lasted for more than five seconds, but Akindele kept her gaze forward and did not visibly acknowledge her colleague.

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Abraham subsequently turned to greet other guests seated beside Akindele. During the movement, the extended chest area of her gown accidentally brushed against Akindele’s hair. Akindele turned sideways and adjusted her hair herself without responding to Abraham.

Abraham appeared to make another attempt to greet her, possibly because she thought Akindele had not heard her earlier attempt. However, Akindele still did not visibly respond.

The video quickly circulated across social media platforms, prompting widespread reactions. While some viewers interpreted Akindele’s conduct as a deliberate snub, others argued that the encounter might have been a misunderstanding.

Reactions

The actress’s post attracted mixed reactions, with Akindele’s fans and other netizens criticising Abraham and urging her to take it down.

Some netizens accused her of fuelling the controversy while attempting to avoid responsibility for the fallout.

However, not everyone shared that view. While some faulted Abraham for posting the throwback collaboration, others backed her and defended her decision.

Below are some of the comments.

@toyin_abraham1 Private screening that invited all Timtoks creatives and the film that was shown on that day sef na Behind The Screen movie by Funke Akindele.

Tor https://t.co/i0mORV2Yga

— Joyful (@NoShakingMood) October 31, 2026

@Mide_Onii @toyin_abraham1 E koshi danu joor… empty shadow from where to where?

— Sweetyinkus (@Sweetyinkus1) October 31, 2026

@toyin_abraham1 Because Funke posted her collaboration with Facebook, then voom you posted a throwback? What’s all these obsession with Funke though?

You didn’t do throwback all these while na today of all day you remembered you want to do throwback.

Be calmning down abeg. Gossssshhh!!!

— Joyful (@NoShakingMood) October 31, 2026

@toyin_abraham1 My mama is giving them pressure 😂 only one Funke❤️

— Jim Crills (@JimCrills) October 30, 2026

@toyin_abraham1 This was African Creative Summit where they invited ALL CREATORS and showed all the December 2025 Nolly movies, this wasnt a personal global collaboration.
They showed BTS, Colours of Fire and all the other films.
Education is key.

— Beehey (@BeeHeyyyy1) October 31, 2026

@toyin_abraham1 I don’t know why people are pissed off with this armless post, can’t she post her achievements again on this app?. Anyway like Davido said “Them wan dey use paracetamol for our headache” make una continue dey use paracetamol for another person headache. “BESTIE”IS HERE Dec 16th.

— ORISUN (@rhineheart_Hart) October 31, 2026

@toyin_abraham1 Someone publicly ignored me, and you think I owe them any loyalty? 🤣 Your fave partnered with Fb same fans dragged her for it. even tagged her,saw it on IG. she dropped she has done it before with TikTok, you’re all convulsing. 😭🤣😭The hypocrisy is actually hilarious 🫢

— Choco_timmy🤎 (@choco_timmy19) October 31, 2026

You guys have pushed Toyin Abraham to a point where she now has to stylishly explain herself before taking a step.

Funke Akindele had an amazing collaboration with Facebook, and it was beautiful until some fans started saying, “Toyin Abraham will copy her”

Toyin Abraham might have already had the intention of collaborating with TikTok, but now she has to post a throwback of her doing something similar last year just to avoid being bashed.
Yet, you guys still found a way to make her the bäd person.

— Vampz (@Hybrid_Ola) October 30, 2026